Herbal compositions

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to the preparation and use of compositions for the treatment of skin disorders such as psoriasis, eczema and lichen planus, as well as for the promotion of good health and the alleviation of stress. The compositions are based on extracts from the plants Melia azadirachta and/or Centratherum anthelminthicum. A variety of other herbal extracts may be included, and the compositions may take the form of a cream or ointment based on ghee, or they may be in a powdered form of suitable for preparing decoctions in hot water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the manufacture and use of herbal compositions for the treatment of skin conditions and/or the promotion of general good health, and in particular, but not exclusively, for the treatment of psoriasis, eczema and lichen planus in human and non-human animals.

The skin of an animal acts as a barrier between the organism and its environment, and thus preserves the chemical and biochemical composition of the body of the animal. However, various chemical and physical agents may have effects, good or bad, on the skin.

The chemical composition and physical structure of the skin departs significantly from normal conditions in certain skin diseases such as psoriasis, eczema and lichen planus. For example, the epidermis contains a constantly renewing cell population. In humans, the transit time of cells from the inner part to the outermost part of the skin is in the order of 12 to 14 days from mitosis to the viable epidermis and about 15 days across the stratum corneum; i.e. around 28 days in total. In a human suffering from psoriasis, however, the total transit time may be as short as 4 days. Psoriasis is classified as a proliferative skin disease, since one of the manifestations of the condition is a proliferation in keratinocyte activity. Psoriasis is also characterised by an aberration of lipid metabolism, due at least in part to excessive lipoxygenase activity in the epidermis.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a composition for use in the treatment of skin disorders and/or promoting general health, which composition comprises extracts derived from the plant Melia azadirachta.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a composition for use in the treatment of skin disorders and/or promoting general health, which composition comprises extracts derived from the plant Centratherum anthelminthicum.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a composition for use in the treatment of skin disorders and/or promoting general health, which composition comprises extracts derived from the plants Melia azadirachta and Centratherum anthelminthicum.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a composition for use in the treatment of skin disorders and/or promoting general health, which composition comprises extracts derived from at least one member of the group consisting of the plants Melia azadirachta and Centratherum anthelminthicum, and which further comprises extracts derived from at least one member of the group consisting of the plants Phyllanthus emblica, Hemidesmus indicus, Tinospora cordifolia, Curcuma longa, Terminalia chebula, Terminalis belerica, Berberis aristata, Zingiber officinalis, Piper longum, Piper nigrum, Rubia cordifolia, Smilex china, Glycerhiza glabra, Picrorhiza curroa, Curcuma aromatica and Asparagus racemosus.

The composition may further comprise coffee and/or cardamon seeds.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of treating psoriasis through the administration of extracts derived from at least one member of the group consisting of the plants Melia azadirachta and Centratherum anthelminthicum.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of treating psoriasis through the administration of extracts derived from at least one member of the group consisting of the plants Melia azadirachta and Centratherum anthelminthicum and further extracts derived from at least one member of the group consisting of the plants Phyllanthus emblica, Hemidesmus indicus, Tinospora cordifolia, Curcuma longa, Terminalia chebula, Terminalis belerica, Berberis aristata, Zingiber officinalis, Piper longum, Piper nigrum, Rubia cordifolia, Smilex china, Glycerhiza glabra, Picrorhiza curroa, Curcuma aromatica and Asparagus racemosus.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of treating eczema or lichen planus through the administration of extracts derived from at least one member of the group consisting of the plants Melia azadirachta and Centratherum anthelminthicum.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of treating eczema or lichen planus through the administration of extracts derived from at least one member of the group consisting of the plants Melia azadirachta and Centratherum anthelminthicum and further extracts derived from at least one member of the group consisting of the plants Phyllanthus emblica, Hemidesmus indicus, Tinospora cordifolia, Curcuma longa, Terminalia chebula, Terminalis belerica, Berberis aristata, Zingiber officinalis, Piper longum, Piper nigrum, Rubia cordifolia, Smilex china, Glycerhiza glabra, Picrorhiza curroa, Curcuma aromatica and Asparagus racemosus.

The composition of the present invention may be dispersed in a suitable carrier for topical application as a cream, gel, ointment or lotion, or may be in the form of a dry powder or other form suitable for the preparation of a potable decoction, for example by way of a tea bag. Alternatively, the composition may be formulated in tablet form.

Preferably, the composition is dispersed in a carrier suitable for topical application comprising ghee or clarified butter.

By providing one or more of an anti-histaminic agent, an anti-inflammatory agent, an adrenocortical stimulant, a cortisol protecting agent, a keratolytic agent, an anti-infective agent, an anti-fungal agent, an agent to control any over-drying action and an agent to control any over-secretory action, the compositions of the present invention help to break the cycle of pruritus--inflammation--pruritus, thereby promoting faster healing of chronic skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and lichen planus. The compositions of the present invention are additionally useful in reducing the effects of stress and reinforcing the immune response. In particular, extracts from Melia azadirachta and Centratherum anthelminthicum are effective in inhibiting keratinocyte proliferation, and extracts from Melia azadirachta and Curcuma longa are effective inhibitors of lipoxygenase enzyme.

The transformed human keratinocyte cell line SVK14 was exposed to herbal extracts according to the present invention, and proliferation was measured indirectly using a colorimetric assay for determining the cellular protein content of adherent cultures in 96-well microtitre plates. Melia azadirachta L. (Meliaceae) and Centratherum anthelminthicum (Wild.) Kuntze (Compositae) were found to have a significant inhibitory effect on keratinocyte proliferation, having the IC50 values of 0.45 mg/ml and 0.5 mg/ml respectively. The IC50 values are based on the original dried plant material used for the extraction. The activity was dose-dependent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention is a cream made up as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         Ghee                   3         kg                                            Water (boiled and cooled)                                                                             1         kg                                            Decoction of Centratherum anthelminthicum                                                             400       ml                                            (400 ml water + 40 g Centratherum                                              anthelminthicum)                                                               Decoction of Melia azadirachta                                                                        100       ml                                            (100 ml water + 250 g Melia azadirachta)                                       ______________________________________                                    

To make up the cream, the ghee is first hydrolysed in a clean stainless steel vessel with one liter of water. Two to three days later, further hydrolysis should be effected with the decoction of Centratherum anthelminthicum. After a further two to three days, hydrolysis should be effected with the decoction of Melia azadirachta. The cream is ready when it becomes unable to assimulate any further liquid. During hydrolysis of the ghee, many triglyceride pockets are formed which can hold the active ingredients in the decoctions in combination as well as individually. This means that the active ingredients may act synergistically as well as individually. In addition, additives including one or more of vitamins A, C, D and E may be added.

For psoriatic patients who are on methotrexate, a decoction or powder of Psoralea corylisfolia may be included in the cream.

The cream of this embodiment of the invention provides relief of skin dryness, inflammation, irritation, rashes, papules, abrasions and discolouration. The cream should not be taken by mouth and should be kept out of the reach of children.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention is a cream made up as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         Ghee                   3         kg                                            Water (boiled and cooled)                                                                             1         kg                                            Decoction of Centratherum anthelminthicum                                                             400       ml                                            (400 ml water + 40 g Centratherum                                              anthelminthicum)                                                               Decoction of Trifla    200       ml                                            (200 ml water + 20 g Trifla)                                                   Decoction of Berberis aristata                                                                        100       ml                                            (100 ml water + 10 g Berberis aristata)                                        Fresh Juice of Phyllanthus emblica                                                                    200       ml                                            Decoction of Melia azadirachta                                                                        100       ml                                            (100 ml water + 250 g Melia azadirachta)                                       ______________________________________                                    

Trifla is a powder made up of extracts from Terminalia chebula, Terminalia belerica and Phyllanthus emblica.

To make up the cream, the ghee is first hydrolysed in a clean stainless steel vessel with one liter of water. Two to three days later, further hydrolysis should be effected with the decoction of Centratherum anthelminthicum. After a further two to three days, hydrolysis should be effected with the decoction of Trifla, followed two to three days later by further hydrolysis with the fresh juice of Phyllanthus emblica, and final hydrolysis two to three days later with the decoction of Melia azadirachta. The cream is ready when it becomes unable to assimilate any further liquid. During hydrolysis of the ghee, many triglyceride pockets are formed which can hold the active ingredients in the decoctions in combination as well as individually. This means that the active ingredients may act synergistically as well as individually. In addition, additives including one or more of vitamins A, C, D and E may be added.

For psoriatic patients who are on methotrexate, a decoction or powder of Psoralea corylisfolia may be included in the cream.

The cream of this embodiment of the invention provides relief of skin dryness, inflammation, irritation, rashes, papules, abrasions and discolouration. The cream should not be taken by mouth and should be kept out of the reach of children.

In a further alternative embodiment of the present invention there is provided a tea-bag containing:

    ______________________________________                                         Centratherum anthelminthicum (fruit)                                                                 20 g                                                     Trifla (fruit)        10 g                                                     (Comprises equal parts of:                                                     Phyllanthus emblica                                                            Terminalia chebula                                                             Terminalia belerica)                                                           Trikatu               10 g                                                     (Comprises equal parts of:                                                     Zingiber officinalis (root)                                                    Piper longum (fruit)                                                           Piper nigrum (fruit))                                                          ______________________________________                                    

The ingredients are powdered and put into a tea-bag. Every day early in the morning one tea-bag should be placed into a container holding 150 ml of boiling water, covered with a lid, and allowed to stand for 10 minutes. The decoction should then be divided into three so as to provide three doses of 50 ml to be imbibed at six-hour intervals. The dosage of one tea bag per day is appropriate for an adult or adolescent weighing around 70 kg. For children of 6-7 years, the dosage should be halved. This provides a course of treatment for a first week.

This composition helps to relieve the irritation and itching cycle and also helps to relieve urticaria (the acute condition). For urticaria the dose may be raised to two tea-bags per day to provide six doses, one to be taken every three hours.

For the continued treatment, over a second week, of psoriasis, eczema and lichen planus, the composition of the tea-bag may be changed to:

    ______________________________________                                         Centratherum anthelminthicum (fruit)                                                                 10       g                                               Trifla (fruit)        10       g                                               (Comprises equal parts of:                                                     Phyllanthus emblica                                                            Terminalia chebula                                                             Terminalia balerica)                                                           Hemidesmus indicus (roots)                                                                           1        g                                               Rubia cordifolia (roots)                                                                             2        g                                               Tinospora cordifolia (stem)                                                                          0.5      g                                               Berberis aristata (roots)                                                                            0.5      g                                               Curcuma longa (roots) 2.5      g                                               Smilex china (roots)  1        g                                               Melia azadirachta (bark)                                                                             0.5      g                                               Glycerhiza glabra (stem)                                                                             1        g                                               Picrorhiza curroa (stem)                                                                             1        g                                               ______________________________________                                    

The preparation and dosage is as for the course of treatment for the first week. This composition helps to relieve accumulated stress and inflammation and is additionally helpful for diabetic and/or hypertensive patients. It is also helpful in relieving urticaria and neurodermatitis. There are no apparent contraindications for pregnant patients. If necessary, treatment with this composition may be continued for up to six weeks.

Glycerhiza glabra and Curcuma longa are thought to have opposing actions, in that Curcuma longa is a drying agent whereas Glycerhiza glabra counters any over-drying effect. Curcuma longa is thought to be a keratolytic, anti-infective mild bactericidal, anti-inflammatory and mild anti-histaminic agent. When Curcuma longa is joined with Centratherum anthelminthicum, Berberis aristata and Trifla, the anti-histaminic and anti-inflammatory properties are enhanced. This combination is useful for both dry skin as well as weeping skin abrasions, discolouration of the skin, papules etc. The combination of tannins and other alkaloids is helpful in maintaining the normal texture of the skin, i.e. the normal thickness of the dermis and epidermis.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention, suitable as a night cream for psoriasis, as made up as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         Curcuma longa    15 g                                                          Curcuma aromatica                                                                               15 g                                                          Berberis aristata                                                                               15 g                                                          Terminalia chebula                                                                              10 g                                                          Phyllanthus emblica                                                                             10 g                                                          Terminalia belerica                                                                             10 g                                                          ______________________________________                                    

The ingredients are powdered and made into a fine paste by adding boiled, cooled water. The contents of the tea-bags of the previously described embodiments of the invention which were used for decoction are mixed with a small amount of this paste to provide a mixture to be applied to psoriatic patches.

This composition produces an anti-inflammatory effect, and is also useful in the treatment of psoriatic arthropathy.

A further embodiment of the present invention comprises a herbal coffee. It is now recognised that behaviourial depression is a fairly common consequence of stress. It is also evident that an animal's ability to cope with stress largely influences the neurochemical consequences of stress. It is also recognised that exposure of living beings to inescapable and severe stress leads to depletion of adrenaline and serotonin, postulated to be the cause of endogenous depression.

A cup of ordinary coffee upon waking provides stimulation, but may be harmful when taken without milk and sugar throughout the rest of the day in order to combat tiredness.

The herbal coffee of this embodiment contains 25% coffee, 25% cardamon seeds and 50% a mixture of the following plants:

Withenia somnifera dunal (roots) (Indian ginseng)

Asparagus racemosus (roots)

Tinospora cordifolia (stem)

Hemidesmus indicus (roots)

10 g of the herbal coffee contains 2.5 g coffee, 2.5 g cardamon seeds, 2 g Hemidesmus indicus, 1 g Withenia somnifera, 1 g Asparagus racemosus and 1 g Tinospora cordifolia. A 10 g dose is to provide one cup of coffee once a day only. The course of treatment should not extend for more than three weeks at a time.

This herbal coffee is useful in combating stress and in the treatment of stress induced gastric ulcers.

In yet a further embodiment, the present invention provides a foundation cream made up as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         Ghee                  3         kg                                             Water (boiled and cooled)                                                                            2         l                                              Decoction of Jasminum florum (leaves)                                                                1         l                                              (200 g leaves)                                                                 Sandalwood powder     10        g                                              Sandalwood oil        30        ml                                             or Rose oil           30        ml                                             ______________________________________                                    

The ghee is first hydrolysed with the water and then with a decoction of Jasminum florum. When trituration is complete, which may take 6-7 hours, the Sandalwood oil is added. After further trituration the Sandalwood powder is added, and the resulting cream thoroughly mixed.

This foundation cream is useful for protecting the skin from deleterious effects of physical and chemical agents. It is particularly useful for the treatment of skin which has been subjected to and damaged by lightening agents. The cream is also useful for the treatment of infantile eczema, skin care for diabetic patients and sunburn. For alleviating nappy rash in children and also for skincare in elderly people it can be mixed with castor oil and zinc ointment. The cream may also be used in the relief of postherpetic dermatitis and any sort of neurodermatitis. The cream should not be taken by mouth and should be kept out of reach of children.

The following table illustrates some of the properties found to be associated with the plants used in the present invention:

    __________________________________________________________________________                                                       POTENTIAL USES                                FAMILY IF                        (OTHER THAN FOR                       LATIN NAME                                                                             KNOWN    CONSTITUENTS                                                                               PROPERTIES  SKIN DISORDERS)              __________________________________________________________________________     1        Centratherum                                                                           Compositeae          Anti Histaminic                                                                            Decongestant                          Anthelminticum                           Bactericidal                                                                   Anti Parasitic                                                                 Diuretic                                                                       Anti Inflammatory                                                              Antipyretic                                                                    Anti Obesity                                                                   Colagogue                                                                      Post Partum Period                                                             Anti Histaminic              2        Rubia Cordifolia                                                                       Rubiaceae                                                                               Anthraquinone                                                                              Immunomodulator                                                                            Haemoglobinuria                                                    Adrenocortical                                                                             Erysepalas                                                         Stimuation  Blood Born Diseases                                                Cortisol Preservation                    3        Hemidesmus                                                                             Asclepiadaleae                                                                          Triterpinoids           Rat Poisoning                         Indicus          Alkaloids of Indol      Bronchial Asthma                                       Phenanthroidolidizine   Non Healing Ulcers                                     Pyridine groups         Corneal Ulcer                                          Cardinoides             Neuritis                                               Cyanogenetic            Renal Stones                                           Geycosides                                                                     Saponins                                                                       Tanins                                                                         Cyclitols                                            4        Berberes                                                                               Berberidaceae                                                                           Berberine Alkaloids                                                                        Anti-Inflammatory                                                                          Non healing ulcers                    (Aristata)x      Benzylisoquinoline      Jaundice                              Asiatica         Bisbenzyliso-           Leucorea                                               quinoline               Diabetes Insepidus                                     Aporphine               Anti Pyretic                                                                   Spenic Enlargment                                                              Liver Fluke                                                                    Infestation                                                                    Abscess, Lymphangites                                                          Lymphadenopathy                                                                Ulces on varicose                                                              veins                                                                          Menorrhegia                                                                    Bleeding Piles               5        Curcuma Longa                                                                          Scitaminacea                                                                            Curcuminoids                                                                               Anti Histaminic                                                                            Pain Killer                                            Curcumin    Anti Pruritic                                                                              Decongestant                                           Diferuloylmethane       Diabetes Melitus                                       Dicaffeol               Diabetes Inspipedus                                    Methane                 Neuro Dermatitis                                       Caffeoyl                Neuritis                                               Feruloyl                Liver Protective                                       Methane Biogenesis      Helps in Liver                                                                 problems                                               Phenyl Alanine          Prevention of Smallpox                                 Malonate                                                                       Acetate                                                                        Sequiterpenes e.g.                                                             Zingiberine 25%                                                                Sesquiterpene                                                                  alcohols                                                                       Ketones and                                                                    Maloterpenes                                         6        Prunus  Rosaceae Kerneal Oil Oxlhydrolysis yields                                                                       Burning sensation                     Cerrasoides      Similar to bitter                                                                          Glucose     Antiemetic                                             almonds     Benzyldehyde and                                                                           Blood in vomiting                                      Amycedalin  Enzyme Prunase 0.07-                                                                       (melory Weiss                                                                  Syndrome)                                              Prulanrasin 0.16 per cent of                                                                           Pyrexia of Unknown                                     Prunasin    Hydrocynic acid                                                                            Origin                                                 D(-)Mandelonitrite-D                                                           Glucoside                                                                      Bitter Almond up to                                                            1819 parts per million                                                         of CN                                                                          Wild cherry bark 5 parts                                                       per million of CN                                                              Bark contains resin                                                            which yields the                                                               fluorescent compound                                                           Scopotin onhyderolysis                                                         Benzoic acid                                                                   Trimethyl Galic acid                                                           P-Cownaric Acid and                                                            sometannin                                           7        Tinospora                                                                              Menispemaeceae                                                                          Stem contains                                                                              Anti spasmodic                                                                             General tonic                         Cordifolia       Glycoside   Anti pyretic                                                                               Diuretic Anhpyretic                                    Giolin      Anti inflammatory                                                                          Aphrodisiac                                            Nonglycoside                                                                               Hypoglycemic                                                                               Effect In Jaundice                                     Gilenin and Anti-allergic                                                                              Diabetes Melitus                                       Gliosterol  Immuno Stimulant                                                                           Anaemia Consumption                                                Neutropenia produced                                                                       Emaciation                                                         Cyclophosphamide was                                                                       Infection                                                          abolished by single dose                                                       of Tinospdra given                                                             before the                                                                     cyclophosphamide given                   8        Picrorrhiza                                                                            Scrophulaceae                                                                           Bitter Colycoside                                                                          Hepatoprotective                                                                           Heart Failure                         Kurroa           Cathartic Acid                                                                             Activity Against Carbon                                                                    Better Lactation                                       Picroside II                                                                               Tetrachloride and                                                                          Skin Problems                                          (Iridoid-Glycosine)                                                                        Galactosamine Induced                                                                      Fever Hicough                                          Roots contain 60% of                                                                       Liver Damage                                                                               Irritabl bowel                                                                 syndrome                                               Picroside-I and         Helpful in Autoimmune                                  Kutkoside in the ratio of                                                                              Diseases                                               1:1.5                                                9        Psorelea                                                                               Pappilionaceae                                                                          Seed Cake Rich in                                                                          Anti Immune Skin                                                                           Levcodernia Dental                                                             Caries                                Corylisfolia     Nitrogen and Mineral                                                                       Diseases    Elephantiassis                                         Psoralish and Isopsoralin                                                      Fixed oil and Essential                                                        Oil                                                  10       Jasminum         Sponin                  Renal stones                          Grandiforum      Tanin                   Geographical tongue                                    Coumarins               Wound Healing                                          Iriboil                 Syphilitic Ulcer                                       Glycosides                                           11       Melia Azardiracta                                                                      Meliaceae            Anti Histaminic                                                                            Urticaria Dandruf f                                                Immunomodulator                                                                            Gout                                                                           Cryoglobulenurca                                                               Lymphadenopathy                                                                Jaundice                                                                       Haemetemesis                                                                   Best Immunomodulator         12       Crataeva Nurvala                                                                       Capparidaceae                                                                           Saponin Like Sengka                                                                        Rubefacient Anti Pruritic                                                      Meant for Psoriatic                                                                        Piles                                                              Arthropathy Renal Stones                                                       Gouty Arthropathy                                                                          Lymphadenopathy                                                    Arthropathy due to                                                                         Abscess                                                            cancer      Neuritia-Pain                                                                  Hepatospenomegaly                                                              Obesity                      13       Glyerrhyla Glabra                                                                      Pappilionaceae                                                                          Glycerrhizin                                                                               Immuno Modulator                                                                           Heart disease                                                      Enhances the production                                                                    Picrorryza Kurroa                                                  of Interferonyl in                                                                         Goutn                                                              peripheral lyniphocyte                                                                     Anaemia                                                            Macrophage cultures                                                                        Ullerative                                                                     Colities                                                                       Haemetamesis                                                                   Hicough                      14       Terminalia                                                                             Combretaceae                                                                            Shikinokic acid                                                                            Useful in all diseases                                                                     1. Bleeding piles                     Chebula          Gallic acid Useful in preparation                                                                      2. Diarrhoea due to                                    B-sitosterol daucosterol                                                                   paste, cream, ointments                                                                    indigestion                                            triacontanoic                                                                              Very useful for                                                                            3. Abdominal problems                                  Palmitic acid                                                                              obstipation without                                                                        4. Diarrhoea due to                                    Triethyl ester of                                                                          complications                                                                              irritable bowel                                                                syndrome                                               chebulic acid                                                                              Useful in all diseases                                                                     5. Anaemia due to                                      ethyl ester of gallic acid                                                                 Useful in Ophthalmic                                                                       hypothyroidism                                         by chemical and                                                                            problems    6. Vomiting                                            spectroscopic method                                                                       (Decongestant)                                                                             7. Gout                                                            Helpful in ulcers                                                                          8. Heavy legs                                                      Used in powdered                                                                           9. Hicough                                                         medicines   10. Renal Stones                                                               11. Haemetemesis                                                               12. Melory Weiss                                                               Syndrome                                                                       13. Overdose of Nutmeg                                                         14. Immunomodulator                                                            15. Skin ulcers                                                                16. Rheumatism                 Trifala        Combretaceae         1. Alcoholic extract of                    Powder of                           triphla exhibited                          Three Fruits                        Hypotensive effect in                                                          anaesthetised dog and cat                                                      2. Contaction of isolated                  1.             Combretaceae         guini pig ileum and                        Terminalia                          rabbit duodenum                            Chebula                             3. -re ionotropic                          2.             Combretaceae         chronotropic effect                        Terminalia                          4. Anitflammatory and                      Belerica                            muscarisnic                              16                                                                               3. Phylanthus  Euphorbiaceae        cholinoreceptor                            Emblica                             stimulating properties                   17       Aconitum                                                                               Ranuncaulaceae                                                                          Root-Alkaloids                                                Heterophyllum    Atisine                                                                        Heterisine                                                                     Histisine                                                                      Heterophyllisine                                                               Heterophylline                                                                 Heterphyllidine                                                                Atidine                                                                        Hetidine                                                                       Benzyl                                                                         Heteratisine                                                                   Dihydroastisine                                                                Hetisinone                                           18       Acorus Calamus                                                                         Araelae              Marlotic    Epilepsy                                                           Antidote for Croton                                                                        Medicine for Memory                                                poisoning   Cough-Lozenges                                                     Emetic                                                                         Antispasmodic                                                                  Insecticide                              19       Piper Nigrum                                                                           Piperaceae                                                                              Piperine    Decongestant                                                                               Cough Cold                                                         Appetiser   Influenza                                                          Bactericidal                                                                               Hysteria                                                           Pain Killer Diarrhoea                                                          Anti Histaminic                                                                            Night Blindness                                                                Heart Diseases                                                                 Urticaria                                                                      Pyrexia of unknown                                                             origin                                                                         Arsenic poisoning                                                              Anuria                                                                         Migraine                                                                       Lost Voice                   20       Piper Longum                                                                           Piperaceae                                                                              Piplatrine  Anit Inflammatory                                                                          Cough                                                  Fruit and roots both                                                                       Anti spasmodic                                                                             Gout                                                   contain piplatrine                                                                         Immunomodulator                                                                            Pyrexia of unknown                                                             origin                                                             (Rasayana)  Obesity                                                                        Piles                                                                          Worms                                                                          Diarrhoea                                                                      Erysepelas                                                                     Colagogue                                                                      Haemetemgis                                                                    Splenomegaly                                                                   Psiatica                                                                       Hicough                      21       Zingiber                                                                               Scitaminaceae        Anti Histaminic                                                                            Painful Haematuria                    Officinalis                  Anti Inflammatory                                                                          Piles                                                                          Diarrhoea                                                                      Many chronic ailments                                                          Intestinal obstruction                                                         Appetiser                                                                      Jaundice                                                                       Rubefacient                                                                    Indigestion                                                                    Gout                                                                           Chronic dysentery                                                              Irritable bowel                                                                syndrome                                                                       Hicough                                                                        Guline Barre Syndrome                                                          Heart disease                                                                  Headache                                                                       Decongestant                                                                   Pyrexia of unknown                                                             origin                                                                         Urticaria                                                                      Intestial Colic              22       Holarrhena                                                                             Apolynaceae                                                                             Conasin     Best Antidiarrhoeal                                                                        Paste used in                                                                  application                           Antidysenterica                          on any skin problems                                                           Haemetemesis                                                                   Bleeding piles                                                                 Irritable Bowel                                                                Disease                                                                        Diarrhoea of TB                                                                patients                                                                       TB Lymphademisis                                                               Renal Stones                                                                   Diabetes mellitus                                                              Diabetes Insipedus                                                             Phosphatwisa                                                                   Relieves Prusitis                                                              Colagoyue                                                                      Immunomodulator for                                                            breast fed babies                                                              Irritable Bowel                                                                Syndrome                     23       Banhinia                                                                               Caesal Piniaceae     Wound healing                                                                              Brain tonic                           Variegata                    Helpful in pain Anuria                                                                     Piles                                                                          Haemetemisis                                                                   TB Lymphadenitis                                                               Smallpox                                                                       Psoriatic                                                                      Arthropathy                                                                    Any skin                     __________________________________________________________________________                                                       problems                 

What is claimed is:
 1. A therapeutic composition comprising a therapeutically useful form of the plants Melia azadirachta and Centratherum anthelminthicum.
 2. A composition as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a therapeutically useful form of at least one plant selected from the group consisting of Phyllanthus emblica, Hemidesmus indicus, Tinospora cordifolia, Curcuma longa, Terminalia chebula, Terminalia belerica, Berberis aristata, Zingiber officinalis, Piper longum, Piper nigrum, Rubia cordifolia, Smilex china, Glycerhiza glabra, Picrorhiza curroa, Curcuma aromatica and Asparagus racemosus.
 3. A composition as claimed in claims 1 or 2, which further comprises coffee.
 4. A composition as claimed in claims 1 or 2, which further comprises cardamon seeds.
 5. A composition as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the composition is formulated as an ointment or cream for topical application.
 6. A composition as claimed in claim 5, wherein the therapeutically useful form of said plants includes ghee.
 7. A composition as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the composition is formulated in the manner of a tea-bag.
 8. A composition as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the composition is formulated in tablet form.
 9. A therapeutic composition comprising a therapeutically useful form of the plant Melia azadirachta and further comprising a therapeutically useful form of at least one plant selected from the group consisting of Phyllanthus emblica, Hemidesmus indicus, Tinospora cordifolia, Curcuma longa, Terminalia chebula, Terminalia belerica, Berberis aristata, Zingiber officinalis, Piper longum, Piper nigrum, Rubia cordifolia, Smilex china, Glycerhiza glabra, Picrorhiza curroa, Curcuma aromatic and Asparagus racemosus.
 10. A method of treating psoriasis through the administration to a human or animal body in need of such treatment of an effective amount of a therapeutically useful form of at least one member of the group consisting of the plants Melia azadirachta and Centratherum anthelminthicum.
 11. A method of treating psoriasis through the administration to a human or animal body in need of such treatment of an effective amount of a therapeutically useful form of plants as claimed in claim 10, wherein the plants further comprise at least one plant selected from the group consisting of Phyllanthus emblica, Hemidesmus indicus, Tinospora cordifolia, Curcuma longa, Terminalia chebula, Terminalia belerica, Berberis aristata, Zingiber officinalis, Piper longum, Piper nigrum, Rubia cordifolia, Smilex china, Glycerhiza glabra, Picrorhiza curroa, Curcuma aromatic and Asparagus racemosus.
 12. A method of treating eczema or lichen planus through the administration to a human or animal body in need of such treatment of an effective amount of a therapeutically useful form of at least one member of the group consisting of the plants Melia azadirachta and Centratherum anthelminthicum.
 13. A method of treating eczema or lichen planus through the administration to a human or animal body in need of such treatment of an effective amount of a therapeutically useful form of plants as claimed in claim 12, wherein the plants further comprise at least one plant selected from the group consisting of Phyllanthus emblica, Hemidesmus indicus, Tinospora cordifolia, Curcuma longa, Terminalia chebula, Terminalia belerica, Berberis aristata, Zingiber officinalis, Piper longum, Piper nigrum, Rubia cordifolia, Smilex china, Glycerhiza glabra, Picrorhiza curroa, Curcuma aromatic and Asparagus racemosus. 